Our client’s Information Technology division is responsible for the infrastructure and software to enable the efficient operation - including capture, account management, billing invoicing, payments processing and data storage---as well as customer services including Call Centre, Web, Mobile application, IVR and supporting workflows.

In order to offer new customer services, new ways of billing, mobile-first services, promotions and loyalty plans, data driven business processes and to continue to be a technology leader, there is an ongoing need to enhance and add to our existing technology. Within the Information Technology division, the architecture group is responsible for delivering business value by defining the vision, setting the strategy, providing ongoing guidance for design, implementation and testing of existing and new solutions.

The company started wide use of AWS services two years ago with Data Analytics and Mobile application being the first big initiatives. As we are going through implementation of the Unified Data platform and other smaller initiatives the footprint of AWS services utilization is increasing significantly. The organization is in the process of implementing a new Commercial Back Office system and broader Enterprise architecture vision that will transform the technology landscape to a more robust, scalable, and flexible architecture. Some of the major aspects of these new initiatives is focus on deployment of new cloud technologies, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, implementation of SAP BRIM (hosted on AWS) and Salesforce CRM, as well as transformation of majority of the existing applications (running on-premises). Also, as we are implementing Office 365 and exposing some of the Azure services to the wider enterprise the cloud strategy needs to be defined. On-premise technologies include a high-speed private network within and across multiple data centres; a dynamic tiered storage platform; a “virtually optimal” server grid leveraging a comprehensive VMware implementation, including Linux and Windows operating systems.

The Cloud and Infrastructure Architect role will lead the creation of the cloud strategy, lead consolidation of the existing cloud services and provide guidance for decommission of the legacy systems. The Cloud and Infrastructure Architect will provide leading role in analyzing and recommending cloud and hosting services (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), hardware, networking, and system software and services required to support IT goals and strategies, and ensure delivery of infrastructure solutions that are compliant with the Enterprise Architecture roadmaps, directions, and blueprints.

The Cloud and Infrastructure Architect will help in evaluating vendors, system integrators and service providers and be accountable for the development of infrastructure and cloud services standards.  The role will be responsible for defining infrastructure roadmaps, designs and blueprints for current and future infrastructure architectures.

The Cloud and Infrastructure Architect together with the Configuration team will help creation of long term DevOps strategy and ensure alignment with the existing configuration, deployment and testing activities and support the implementation of the DevOps practices across the enterprise.

The Cloud and Infrastructure Architect will also support and lead the implementation of cloud and infrastructure projects and provide active guidance for better planning and decision making.

The role will be aware of IT industry trends and will proactively identify issues that may arise and oversee the effort for their resolution.

Delivery is accomplished using an Agile-Scrum approach, including self-organization, short iterations, and strong collaboration.

• Creates cloud and infrastructure strategy – Responsible for creation of hybrid cloud strategy for all existing and new IaaS, PaaS, SaaS offerings and existing on-premises applications.
• Provides recommendations and sets the vision - Provides recommendations on the technology and design of compute, storage, network and telecom infrastructure, and cloud infrastructure services, including lifecycle replacement, future growth and redundancy
• Strategic thinking – Thinks innovatively and long-term about our industry and not just our company. Creates plans to support the current and future operating model of the company
• Leads implementations – Leads deployment and configuration of new could services and helps ongoing improvement of existing infrastructure and security systems including, but not limited to compute, storage, virtualization, networking and telecommunications
• Acts decisively – Creates the climate for decision-making and acts decisively
• Driving performance – Anticipates and removes barriers, enabling and inspiring teams to deliver and perform, helps deliver infrastructure solutions
• Works collaboratively – Is courageous in identifying and addressing issues that may inhibit effective cross-functional collaboration
• Passion for serving business needs – Focused on current and future needs of business customers across the whole of the company
• Develops people – Invested in the long-term development of people by establishing challenging development opportunities aimed at helping people grow
• Ability to influence - Demonstrated ability to work effectively with all levels of the organization
• Define principles to guide infrastructure solution decisions
• Develop high-availability and backup methodologies which support disaster recovery and business continuity planning
• Consult with application development projects to harmonize infrastructure with EA, and identify when it is necessary to modify the infrastructure systems to accommodate project needs
• Ensure that all individual infrastructure solutions, designs and analysis are documented in a structured fashion and stored in common place.
• Coordinate with enterprise business, information and technology architects
• Continuously update knowledge on infrastructure and cloud technology, and advancements and best practices
• Provide meaningful communication of alternative solutions and appropriateness of solution selected
• Gather information internally and externally, evaluate alternatives, and propose best practices to be used
• Perform proof-of-concepts and develop prototypes to make informed architectural decisions

• Extensive knowledge of deployment, configuration and integration of AWS services on enterprise level
• Intimate knowledge of AWS enterprise account management and services cost optimization
• Extensive knowledge of cloud architectures for different IaaS, PaaS, SaaS offerings
• Extensive knowledge of cloud application design including knowledge of cloud security and networking
• Excellent knowledge of data centre architecture, including compute, storage, virtualization, networking, and data centre infrastructure
• Excellent analytical and technical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and facilitation skills
• Ability to understand the long-term ("big picture") and short-term perspectives of solutions
• Ability to estimate the financial impact of individual infrastructure and cloud service solutions
• Ability to define multiple solution options to overcome business and technical problems
• Ability to quickly comprehend the functions and capabilities of new technologies
• Knowledge of key aspects of the business
• Solid knowledge of information principles and policies
• Basic knowledge of financial models and budgeting
• Working knowledge of development methodologies including Agile, Kanban and Scrum
• Able to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Team player and can work independently
• Administrative knowledge of Windows, Linux, and AIX (or similar) operating systems
• In-depth knowledge of industry best practices covering computer and network security, disaster recovery and business continuity practices
• Experience with medium to large server deployments and LAN/WAN networking concepts in a virtualized environment (VMware or similar)
• Minimum of five years of hands-on cloud and infrastructure design and implementation experience
• University degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience